Former Florida State President John Thrasher believes the Seminoles’ exclusion from the College Football Playoff shows the school needs to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Thrasher also believes the CFP committee caved in to pressure from ESPN and the Southeastern Conference when it announced its four playoff teams Sunday.

Undefeated ACC Champion FSU (13-0) was the odd team out of the CFP behind unbeatens Michigan and Washington and one-loss teams Texas and Alabama.

The Seminoles’ controversial omission sent shockwaves through college football, calling into question the integrity of the system and pecking order of Power Five Conferences.

‘It gives me hope the leadership at FSU will look at other places to be. I think it shows we are a secondary-level conference,’ Thrasher said.

FSU indicated last August it would have to consider leaving the league unless there is change to its revenue distribution. The ACC in September added Stanford, Cal and SMU starting next season, bringing the conference to 18 members, with 17 playing football.

ESPN exclusive rights holder to College Football Playoff

Thrasher, who retired from FSU in 2021 after nearly seven years as the university’s president, also pointed to the power that ESPN and the SEC wields in college football.

‘I believe the committee caved into pressure from a couple different levels – with ESPN and the SEC the two levels they caved to,’ Thrasher said. ‘I’ve been in those management meetings. …. The SEC has incredible power.’

ESPN, which is set to enter into an exclusive broadcasting deal with the SEC in 2024, is the exclusive rights holder of the College Football Playoff.

The SEC has also been represented in the playoffs the past 10 years. Saturday, SEC Commissioner SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said during an interview on ESPN ‘GameDay’ the thought of his league being left out of the four-team College Football Playoff isn’t the ‘real world.’

Alabama, the SEC Champion after its upset win over then-ranked No. 1 Georgia, jumped from No. 8 to No. 4 in the final CFP ranking. Texas, the Big 12 champion who is headed to the SEC next season with Oklahoma, went from No. 7 to No. 3.

The first CFP ranking Oct. 31 featured Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan and FSU as its top four teams.

Ohio State tumbled from No. 1 to No. 6 following its defeat to Michigan two weeks ago. FSU fell out of the top-four twice during the six-week cycle, to No. 5 following its win against North Alabama and last Sunday. It had returned to No. 4 following its win over Florida to end the regular season. Georgia was ranked No. 2 two weeks, No. 1 three weeks and ended at No. 6 following its loss to the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship.

The CFP expands to 12 teams in 2024.

FSU’s omission from College Football Playoff a historic footnote

FSU is the first undefeated team from a major Power Five conference to be excluded from the playoffs since its inception in 2014.

The Seminoles’ omission also has financial implications.

A potential $6 million ACC payout had the Seminoles been included drops to $4 million as FSU plays No. 6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl Dec. 30. The exclusion also nixed expected revenue generated from the chance to compete for a national title and bumped other ACC teams in the bowl lineup. An educated guess is the CFP committee’s decision cost FSU around $30 million.

It could also impact FSU recruiting. Don’t believe for a second rival coaches won’t remind Seminole recruits that FSU and the ACC didn’t have the juice to secure a playoff berth for an undefeated conference champion. There’s a chance even some current FSU players feel the same way.

Though the Seminoles went undefeated, they were judged by the committee by injuries at the quarterback position.

Star Jordan Travis was lost last month to a broken left leg.

Backup Tage Rodemaker suffered a concussion late in the Seminoles’ regular-season finale victory at Florida. That led to true freshman Brock Glenn, the third-stringer, starting in the ACC title game win over Louisville Saturday.

“You won your conference and you are going to be left out because of one player who got hurt?” Thrasher said. “And you are going to say this team wasn’t going to get better between now and Dec. 30? It’s wrong on so many levels.

‘My heart breaks for those kids.”

FSU has drawn support from within the state and across the country.

Critics of the CFP, which is tasked with deciding the best teams in the nation using a number of factors, are demanding more transparency from the 13-member committee. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he wants to set aside $1 million for “any litigation expenses that may come as a result of this really, really poor decision by the College Football Playoff” to snub the Seminoles.

Thrasher believes FSU’s options for recourse are limited at best.

“As much as I hate it, I think they have to move on,” Thrasher said.

“I was disappointed as anybody. They deserved to be in the playoffs. The committee should have been fighting over Texas and Alabama.

‘Not us.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox swung a trade for only the eighth time in the last 54 years Tuesday night with the Yankees acquiring outfielder Alex Verdugo for three pitching prospects.

The trade not only gives the Yankees a veteran outfielder they badly need, but this could put the pressure on the San Diego Padres to lower their asking price for All-Star Juan Soto.

Yes, according to a high-ranking Yankees executive, the Yankees still want Soto. The executive spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

The Yankees are sending right-handed pitchers Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert and Nicholas Judice to the Red Sox for Verdugo.

Verdugo, 27, hit .264 last season with 13 homers, 54 RBI and a career-high 55 extra-base hits. He’s one of only two major-league players to strike out less than 100 times in each of the past three seasons, joining Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez. He would play in right field, moving Aaron Judge to center field … if the Yankees acquire Soto to play left field.

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.

Fitts, 23, was the best prospect in the trade, ranked 12th among Yankees prospects. He went 18-13 with a 3.57 ERA in two minor league seasons.

Verdugo was the primary piece in the Red Sox’s ill-fated trade that sent Mookie Betts to the Dodgers three years ago. Verdugo never became the star the Red Sox envisioned, hitting .281 with 43 homers and 206 RBI in 493 games with Boston.

The trade of Verdugo, who was projected to earn $9 million, perhaps clears salary room for free-agent outfielder Lourdes Gurriel, who is coveted by the Red Sox.

Meanwhile, after finishing 25th in the major leagues in runs last season, the Yankees still are willing to spend more to acquire Soto, who’s scheduled to earn about $33 million after salary arbitration. Yet, they are balking at the Padres’ asking price of seven players (pitchers Michael King, Clarke Schmidt, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito and two prospects), in addition to taking on center fielder Trent Grisham and his projected $6 million salary.

Follow Bob Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The mystery and secrecy of the Shohei Ohtani free-agent sweepstakes was finally lifted Tuesday with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays emerging as the co-favorites for baseball’s biggest star, while the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels still remain in the picture.

The Chicago Cubs, who were in the mix early in the sweepstakes, now appear to be out after balking at Ohtani’s price tag of 10 years and at least $500 million, according to one high-ranking Cubs official.

The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of negotiations.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was later scolded by his bosses, said the Dodgers met with Ohtani at Dodger Stadium for a few hours late last week. They were the first team to acknowledge a private meeting with Ohtani. The two-time MVP also recently met with the Blue Jays and Giants, but their team officials have declined to confirm that.

“Clearly,’’ Roberts said, “Shohei’s our top priority.’’

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.

Roberts spoke freely and relaxed for 20 minutes, but the moment his media session ended, a stern text message on his cellphone awaited him. He immediately huddled with Dodgers’ public relations officials to make sure he was no longer so candid.

Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, and GM Brandon Gomes each declined to even confirm they met with Ohtani.

“It’s just not something I’m going to talk about,’’ Gomes said. “We’re not allowed to talk about current free agents.’’

Roberts instead did the talking before Friedman and Gomes spoke, much to the front office’s chagrin.

Dave Roberts on Shohei Ohtani: ‘We really hope he feels’ the Dodgers are ‘a fit’

“I would like to be honest, and so we met with Shohei,’’ Roberts said. “I don’t feel like lying is something that I do. I was asked a question, and to be forthright in this situation, we kept it quiet. But I think that it’s going to come out at some point that we met.

“So, I don’t think myself or anyone in our organization would want to lie about it.’’

When asked if there was a danger in being candid, considering that Ohtani and agent Nez Balelo have asked for privacy during the free agency process, Roberts dismissed the notion.

“There’s a respect of privacy, which I think that we’ve done that,’’ Roberts said. “There is a foundational integrity part of it I feel, and not necessarily the gamesmanship part of it, which is still plausible and fair.

“For me, it’s hard to get a pointed question and then to just give a false answer knowingly. So, I don’t think it’s disrespect to anybody in Shohei’s party or on our side. I think that the details are going to be withheld, which I think they should be, but it’s pretty clear he’s a priority for us.’’

Roberts said the meeting really wasn’t a “sales pitch.’ The sides simply wanted to familiarize themselves with each other while the Dodgers conveyed their strong interest.

“It was more of just sort of getting more familiar with him,’’ Roberts said. “I think that he had questions for us, just trying to get more of the landscape. But being in this league for six years, he’s got a pretty good idea of the Dodgers, what we’re about, the city itself. …

“I think it’s pretty easy to have conversations with anyone if you feel comfortable in what you’re about, who you work with. We’re about people. We’re about winning. So, I think that that’s pretty easy to talk about.

“You know, there’s no hiding of the ball, it’s just kind of ‘here we are,’ and we really hope he feels it’s a fit.’’

Blue Jays, Giants have also had meetings with Shohei Ohtani

The Blue Jays and Giants also hosted Ohtani in recent days, but they refused to discuss their meetings. Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged he has not had a face-to-face meeting with Ohtani, but just like everyone else in the baseball world he anxiously awaits Ohtani’s decision.

“I think as a baseball fan,’’ Counsell said, “we all want to know where the great players are going to play.’’

It has not been publicly revealed when Ohtani will make his decision, but if teams really know, they’re not saying.

“Not one that I’m comfortable sharing,’’ Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said. “We’re fortunate to be one that’s being considered.’’

Roberts expects a decision soon, but certainly there is not a hard deadline.

“No one’s putting his foot to the fire,’’ Roberts said, “and he’ll make the decision when he and Nez and his camp feel appropriate. …

“At the end of the day, he’s his own man and he’s going to do what’s best for himself, where he feels most comfortable.’’

The cloaked secrecy of Ohtani’s free agency may not be unprecedented, but it certainly is rare. Ohtani and Balelo, his agent, have not provided any hints, clues or the slightest traces of information. They’ve even instructed teams to keep quiet. If they don’t, the leaks could jeopardize teams’ chances of signing Ohtani.

“I think that anybody that has earned the right to be a free agent,’’ Gomes said, “should handle it exactly how they want to.’’

When asked if he thought that Roberts’ comments could cause repercussions, Gomes said, “It’s not something I’m going to worry about right now.’’

Well, spilled beans or not, Roberts still is confident the Dodgers will land the biggest free-agent prize in baseball history.

“I feel good about it,’’ Roberts said, “but, again, you know, he’s his own man, which we all respect… He has a very good poker face. So, I think he was smiling inside. But I was just happy to spend some time with him.

“We all were.’’

Soon, this magical mystery tour will end, and everyone once again will be able to talk freely about the game’s greatest player, without the slightest worry of repercussions.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

When lacrosse makes its return to the Olympic program at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a team of Native American athletes representing the sport’s birthplace, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, hope to be competing under their own flag.

In their quest to turn that goal into reality, they now have an influential new advocate: President Joe Biden.

Biden announced his support of the Haudenosaunee’s Olympic efforts during a speech at the White House Tribal Nations Summit on Wednesday afternoon − providing a public boost to Native American leaders and the sport’s governing body, World Lacrosse, as they pursue inclusion at the 2028 Games.

Specifically, the White House said, Biden is seeking a ‘narrowly-scoped exception’ to Olympic rules that would allow the Haudenosaunee to field a team.

‘Their ancestors invented the game,’ Biden said. ‘They perfected it for millennia. Their circumstances are unique. And they should be granted an exception to field their own team at the Olympics.’

Leo Nolan, the executive director of the Haudenosaunee national team, said he is ‘sincerely grateful’ to Biden for his public support, describing it as a clear sign that the White House ‘(understands) our contribution that we made to spreading the sport around the world.’

But he also acknowledged that any decision on their inclusion in 2028 ultimately rests with the International Olympic Committee, which has repeatedly cited a clause in the Olympic charter that allows only countries with national Olympic committees to compete at the Summer Games.

‘The IOC is the ultimate decider on this. We respect that,’ Nolan told USA TODAY Sports in an interview. ‘We respect the Olympic framework of sports competition, and I think it’s a great opportunity for the Olympics to really step up and say this is a recognized sport that is now around the world thanks to the Haudenosaunee, (because of) their contribution to the game of lacrosse.’

In response to a series of emailed questions Tuesday night about the Haudenosaunee Confederacy − previously known as the Iroquois Confederacy − fielding a team at the Olympics, an IOC spokesperson said it would be up to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Canadian Olympic Committee ‘to decide if they include athletes from Haudenosaunee in their respective teams, depending on the passport they hold.’

The potential inclusion of the Haudenosaunee is one of the more fascinating questions surrounding the 2028 Olympics, in part due to its complexity.

Lacrosse got its start as a sport played by Indigenous tribes in the northeastern part of North America in around 1100, hundreds of years before European settlement. The Haudenosaunee not only have a deep connection with the sport, sometimes referring to it as ‘the medicine game,’ but they are also fairly dominant in it on an international level.

The Haudenosaunee started competing internationally in 1990, when they were first recognized by World Lacrosse. They currently boast the No. 3 ranked men’s lacrosse team in the world, behind only the United States and Canada, and they won bronze at the most recent world championships earlier this summer.

‘Often times when we go to these international competitions, we are asked to really be the spokesperson for the game. That’s a really great honor,’ Nolan said.

So far, Nolan said World Lacrosse has been Haudenosaunee’s primary advocate in pursuing Olympic inclusion, with its chief executive officer, Jim Scherr, saying in October that they would continue to look for ‘a creative solution’ that would allow the Haudenosaunee to compete at the Games. It is immediately unclear, however, what that solution would entail or what steps would be needed for the IOC to sign off.

Asked if support from entities like the White House might ultimately prove to be symbolic, Nolan stressed that symbolism ‘is a strong way of doing business sometimes.’

‘It sounds symbolic, but in reality, is it a symbol or is it really the right thing to do − to include the originators of the game in a way that honors the IOC framework,’ he said. ‘We’re looking forward to figuring out what those pathways will be.’

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @Tom_Schad.

The daughter of WWE star Brock Lesnar is making waves in the college sports world as a track and field athlete.

Mya Lesnar, a junior at Colorado State, went viral after setting a school record in the shot put. Lesner, 21, posted on social media about her accomplishments.

 ‘A new PR and a new school record!! Happy with a strong start to my season,’ Lesnar wrote on Instagram.

Lesnar earned the school’s student-athlete of the week after setting the record of 18.50 meters.

Lesnar previously attended Arizona State. She has earned All-Mountain West honors and placed first in the weight throw at the indoor Mountain West Championships and third in the shot put at the indoor and outdoor conference championships.

Brock Lesnar has had a career with World Wrestling Entertainment for most of the past two decades and has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He also tried his hand at professional football by joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2004 but was released during training camp.

In a slow MLB offseason, social media posts from players are getting special attention for any shred of news they might provide. On Wednesday afternoon, a post from Joc Pederson was the latest to set the rumor mill buzzing.

Pederson’s latest Instagram featured the outfielder posing with the Phillie Phanatic, the Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot, with the caption ‘It’s always sunny in Philadelphia.’ It also included Calum Scott’s ‘Dancing On My Own,’ a song the Phillies adopted as their playoff anthem in 2022 and 2023. The post immediately inspired rampant speculation that it was a signing announcement from the free agent.

The rumors and speculation were quickly shut down by beat reporters covering the team.

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.

With the slow movement of MLB’s free agency through about one month, fans are itching to hear any big news from players or teams. The league’s annual Winter Meetings are underway this week in Nashville, and though the event is usually one of the biggest catalysts for offseason movement, this year’s iteration has been mostly quiet.

Pederson’s post provided just the spark to get the rumor mill going again, though where he will play next season (and beyond) still remains to be seen.

Joc Pederson Phillies rumors begin after outfielder’s Instagram post

Baseball fans (and even MLB Network!) were quick to discover Pederson’s Instagram post and started sharing the image and their speculation on social media.

Some Phillies fans even began to make predictions on how the outfielder would fit in with the rest of the team’s lineup.

Once it was revealed Pederson and the Phillies hadn’t entered contract talks, Philadelphia fans were not happy.

The fantasy football regular season comes to a close this week with just two teams — the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders — on bye. That leaves plenty of options for fantasy managers to choose from as they look to secure a spot in the playoffs.

START OR SIT? 15 players who could make the difference in Week 14

Fantasy football rankings for Week 14 are based on the point-per-reception (PPR) scoring used in most seasonal and daily fantasy football formats. One point is awarded for every 10 rushing and receiving yards and one point for every 20 passing yards. Six points are awarded for touchdowns scored, four points for passing TDs and one point for receptions.

Rankings are compiled by Daniel Dobish, TheHuddle.com. 

(*-check status before kickoff)

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Fantasy football quarterback rankings for Week 14

Fantasy football running back rankings for Week 14

Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) has been ruled out. Ezekiel Elliott is expected to start Thursday night.Jonathan Taylor did not practice after undergoing thumb surgery. Consider him doubtful with Zack Moss taking over the lead back role once again.

Fantasy football wide receiver rankings for Week 14

Fantasy football tight end rankings for Week 14

Fantasy football kicker rankings for Week 14

Fantasy football defense/special teams rankings for Week 14

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – While the NFL continues its investigation into the felony charge levied against Von Miller last week, the edge rusher was in the facility at One Bills Drive Wednesday as the Buffalo Bills began preparations for Sunday’s showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Von is here, he’ll be a part of the team, and we’ll let the investigation (continue) and we’ll follow the lead of the NFL from that standpoint,” general manager Brandon Beane said.

Beane was careful in his remarks during a 19-minute interaction with reporters, but when he was asked whether he thought Roger Goodell would put Miller on the commissioner’s exempt list, meaning he would be ineligible to play until the league’s investigation into the matter is complete, Beane said, “We don’t expect anything based on our conversations. Anytime it’s an ongoing investigation, if something was uncovered, the commissioner does have that (option) at any point. If he feels there was something that, hey, this doesn’t look good or something like that, they could, but with our knowledge of what we have today, we don’t expect that.”

Why was Von Miller arrested?

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Since the charges were filed, the woman told a Dallas TV station that, “We’re fine. Things were blown way out of context. This is actually outrageous! No one assaulted anyone. This is insane. And sad.”

Nothing has been reported about the incident since then and what actually happened that day remains up for debate, which is why Beane said that until more information is presented, Miller will remain with the team.

“I don’t think we have a lot of information other than our conversation with Von, his representatives and the league, other than, you know, the media reports and things like that,” Beane said. “So, we’ve not been able to have conversations with people who are on the scene investigating the call and things like that. It’s very early in the process, and those people in Dallas aren’t just going to get on the phone; they’re not worried about the Buffalo Bills. They’re going to do what they do on the timeline that they do it.

“You never want anyone in your organization, no matter what organization you’re in, to have an allegation like that. That’s a very serious nature and something that we would definitely … we’re gonna take every precaution with. Culture and character and all those things are super important. But we also have to remember we have to let the legal process play out. The guy that we’ve known here for a year and a half, that seems out of character.”

But is it? This is the third time that Miller has been involved in a police investigation.

Last year, Miller was sued by a woman who charged that he was sending out revenge porn after their relationship ended. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed, though it is unknown whether there was a settlement between two parties. And in 2021, Miller was investigated for an incident in Colorado, but the district attorney’s office declined to file criminal charges. The nature of the incident was not reported.

“You have to let it play out, I guess, is the best way to say it,” Beane said. “If you get into sitting guys or disciplining guys without the right information, that can be a little bit dangerous, too. We weren’t there, we’re not investigators. We had our conversations with Von and understood what he believes happened and so from that standpoint, we can’t get into it and he’ll participate like normal in practice.”

Should Von Miller play for Bills vs Chiefs despite his availability?

Regardless of his potential legal entanglement and based simply on his level of play, there is a legitimate argument to be made that Miller – who was conveniently given a veteran rest day Wednesday and did not practice – should not be playing right now.

As he has tried to regain his form following ACL surgery, he has been invisible on defense in all nine games he has played, and his snaps would arguably be better utilized by other players.

“I can tell you every week we’re trying to put the best 48 players (on the field),” Beane said. “It doesn’t matter what name it says on your jersey or number, we’re trying to put the best 48 out there to win. And yes, that will continue to be evaluated every week and if we feel that Von is not one of the best 48 that week or all the weeks, then that’s what we’ll do.

“But we’re hoping, it’s around a year now that he’s had that surgery and sometimes it just takes time. I think you saw that with Tre (White) last year as well. It’s hard in a situation where you have an injured player that misses all the offseason and all OTAs, training camp. You can’t really replicate a training camp so you’re trying to work them back, yet practices are not like training camp practices. And then you’re in the games and you’re trying to find that number of snaps.”

Beane likened Miller’s situation to that of a shooter in basketball who needs to keep shooting in order to find his form. “You got to get up enough shots to start feeling your rhythm,” he said. “And so all those things are into consideration. We got to win these five (games), so we’re gonna try to put out the best 48 we can.”

“Well, I think like anything else, you’re trying to evaluate every week, every day at practice,” he said. “And we’ll do that today and as well as tomorrow. Some of what we’re doing is to continue to try and get him where he was a year ago. That process took place last week as a staff. We sat down and said, ‘Hey, what else can we do to continue to try and and move this thing?’”